I can sympathize with the desire to ban cell phones. I was at a wedding this summer, and was saddened to see how many of the guests had their heads down over their cell phones during the ceremony, the dinner, the dancing... and that they seemed more interested in texting, twitter, facebook, and instagram then they were in the event that they were actually at! I felt really bad for the bride and groom and their parents.

I have to say that it really ticks me off to attend a social event only to see people paying more attention to their cell phones than to the other guests. If you're a doctor or a relative of a seriously ill patient I can see having a cell phone with you, but parents left kids with sitters long before cell phones existed and the world didn't come to an end.

Really, I think people place way, way too much importance on their "need" for their cell phones and not enough on real human interactions. No one should have to be told to not use a cell phone at a social event; they should know it to begin with. But, since they don't, I don't see any reason that the word shouldn't be put out that the wedding and reception are a cell-phone free event and that no photos be taken by guests. If one must have a picture of great-aunt Marjorie, then I see no reason why they cannot wait until afterward (or before) to do it. They don't need to take the picture during the actual event. It's just not that difficult.

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I can sympathize with the desire to ban cell phones. I was at a wedding this summer, and was saddened to see how many of the guests had their heads down over their cell phones during the ceremony, the dinner, the dancing... and that they seemed more interested in texting, twitter, facebook, and instagram then they were in the event that they were actually at! I felt really bad for the bride and groom and their parents.

I have to say that it really ticks me off to attend a social event only to see people paying more attention to their cell phones than to the other guests. If you're a doctor or a relative of a seriously ill patient I can see having a cell phone with you, but parents left kids with sitters long before cell phones existed and the world didn't come to an end.

Really, I think people place way, way too much importance on their "need" for their cell phones and not enough on real human interactions. No one should have to be told to not use a cell phone at a social event; they should know it to begin with. But, since they don't, I don't see any reason that the word shouldn't be put out that the wedding and reception are a cell-phone free event and that no photos be taken by guests. If one must have a picture of great-aunt Marjorie, then I see no reason why they cannot wait until afterward (or before) to do it. They don't need to take the picture during the actual event. It's just not that difficult.

She doesn't belong to this forum but wants to read everyone's comments when she comes over next time.

Thanks for the input - keep it coming!

Though I agree with them that its sad these things happen and would not want them to happen at my wedding, IMO you still cannot tell guests that they can't have their cell phones. It's just not appropriate. I also definitely don't think you can tell people they are not allowed to take any picturest at all. You can ask that they don't take any pictures of the happy couple or wedding party, but that's really about it. For example if someone said I could not take a picture of me and my DH, I would probably laugh at them.

I can absolutely understand the desire to ban cell phones at your wedding. Nobody wants to hear badly-rendered Bohemian Rhapsody interrupting the most important moments of their life. Nobody wants to look out at their friends and family who have been invited to share in their special moment and see 25% of them paying more attention to their phone than the ceremony.

But, in practice it's rude. It's saying "I don't trust you to behave civilly so I'm going to impose rules on you as if you were a child."

You can ask the officiant to give a polite reminder to silence cell phones and refrain from taking photos. You could even put a sign in the entryway asking people to please make sure their phones are silenced. Some people (cough, my husband, cough) will NEVER remember to silence their phones unless someone reminds them.

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I don't think you can ban phones, but I think that you can ask that they not use them to take photos. Here's a great blog that explains how guests can ruin the photos at weddings. I'd be fine with setting up opportunities later for then to take photos, but request they leave the ceremony and special moments like parent/couple dances to the (paid) professionals.

As for the MOB who feels the phone zombies will pay more attention to their phones than to the event, well, that can't really be helped. Some people will want the phone to share their own pics of their kids or whatever, so they will likely pull them out to show other guests things. I'd try not to focus on the phone users and instead pay more attention to the guests who are fully engaged in the day.

Really, I think people place way, way too much importance on their "need" for their cell phones and not enough on real human interactions. No one should have to be told to not use a cell phone at a social event; they should know it to begin with. But, since they don't, I don't see any reason that the word shouldn't be put out that the wedding and reception are a cell-phone free event and that no photos be taken by guests. If one must have a picture of great-aunt Marjorie, then I see no reason why they cannot wait until afterward (or before) to do it. They don't need to take the picture during the actual event. It's just not that difficult.

I think expecting no pictures are taken even during the reception is deluded. If you ban cell phones, people will bring regular cameras.

It's totally fine to ask no pictures being taken during the ceremony (we had it in the program and the clergy-person announced it at the beginning of the service to please only take pictures during the processional, the recessional and right after we exchange rings. Yes, we paid a professional photographer to pretty much just hang out during a two hour catholic bridal mass.

But I really think you can't expect people to not take any pictures during the reception. People took pictures during weddings well before the advent of cell phones. And they might want to have some pictures even of the bride and groom to remember the event. Or will the bride and groom give pictures of themselves from the wedding to all wedding guests?

When my cousin got married my husband (then fiance) snapped a picture of myself with the bride and groom. Only people who have seen my photo album (pre-digital) have seen the picture, but it is a great way for me to remember the event.

I completely understand (and agree with) the request that cell phones be silenced and put away during the ceremony. But as far as "no picture" taking... I don't get that. People have been taking their own snapshots at weddings since forever. I remember people having their own cameras and shooting photos at my wedding way back in 1980!

I can see requesting "no flash photography" or "please don't post pix on social media" but "don't take any pictures" is going to go over like a lead balloon.

I completely understand (and agree with) the request that cell phones be silenced and put away during the ceremony. But as far as "no picture" taking... I don't get that. People have been taking their own snapshots at weddings since forever. I remember people having their own cameras and shooting photos at my wedding way back in 1980!

I can see requesting "no flash photography" or "please don't post pix on social media" but "don't take any pictures" is going to go over like a lead balloon.

Nothing in that blog post contradicts what lowspark said. Getting in the way of the photographer would be rude, and posting pictures on Facebook when you've been asked not to would be rude, but taking snapshots for yourself or to share with the happy couple later should not be a problem.

I understand the desire to not have interruptions or distractions, however the ban would have me declining the invitation. A request to silence all electronic devices and to step out in case of an emergency before the ceremony starts is much preferred.

I would have to say I see far more people checking in on the professional sports game on their phones during weddings and other ceremonies than playing a game or checking social media. I consider both rude.

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I completely understand (and agree with) the request that cell phones be silenced and put away during the ceremony. But as far as "no picture" taking... I don't get that. People have been taking their own snapshots at weddings since forever. I remember people having their own cameras and shooting photos at my wedding way back in 1980!

I can see requesting "no flash photography" or "please don't post pix on social media" but "don't take any pictures" is going to go over like a lead balloon.

Something about this really bugs me. I think it's the idea that not only can the B&G request your presence at their marriage ceremony, they can also tell you how you should be "taking it in." You need to give them your undivided, focused attention. Really get in the moment with them. Because, you know, you can't just sit there and watch passively. You have to really get into it.

I completely understand (and agree with) the request that cell phones be silenced and put away during the ceremony. But as far as "no picture" taking... I don't get that. People have been taking their own snapshots at weddings since forever. I remember people having their own cameras and shooting photos at my wedding way back in 1980!

I can see requesting "no flash photography" or "please don't post pix on social media" but "don't take any pictures" is going to go over like a lead balloon.

Something about this really bugs me. I think it's the idea that not only can the B&G request your presence at their marriage ceremony, they can also tell you how you should be "taking it in." You need to give them your undivided, focused attention. Really get in the moment with them. Because, you know, you can't just sit there and watch passively. You have to really get into it.

That makes me go blech.

I totally agree with this. It seems very self-centered. I can totally get behind asking people to refrain from behaviors that will distract other guests (and the hosts). No flash photography? Sure. Stay in your seat? Yes. Silence your device? Yup. Don't bring anything that might distract YOU from being fully engaged 100% of the time? Nope. Yes, a marriage is a major life event and is likely the biggest, most important thing to happen to the HC in that year. However, it's unreasonable to expect your guests to consider it that important themselves.

If I saw this sort of sentiment expressed on an invitation, I would wonder whether I'd be scolded for discussing anything other than the HC or wedding during the reception. Would I be allowed to catch up with mutual friends? Or would that constitute "not being present and taking it in"?

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I completely understand (and agree with) the request that cell phones be silenced and put away during the ceremony. But as far as "no picture" taking... I don't get that. People have been taking their own snapshots at weddings since forever. I remember people having their own cameras and shooting photos at my wedding way back in 1980!

I can see requesting "no flash photography" or "please don't post pix on social media" but "don't take any pictures" is going to go over like a lead balloon.

Something about this really bugs me. I think it's the idea that not only can the B&G request your presence at their marriage ceremony, they can also tell you how you should be "taking it in." You need to give them your undivided, focused attention. Really get in the moment with them. Because, you know, you can't just sit there and watch passively. You have to really get into it.

That makes me go blech.

I totally agree with this. It seems very self-centered. I can totally get behind asking people to refrain from behaviors that will distract other guests (and the hosts). No flash photography? Sure. Stay in your seat? Yes. Silence your device? Yup. Don't bring anything that might distract YOU from being fully engaged 100% of the time? Nope. Yes, a marriage is a major life event and is likely the biggest, most important thing to happen to the HC in that year. However, it's unreasonable to expect your guests to consider it that important themselves.

If I saw this sort of sentiment expressed on an invitation, I would wonder whether I'd be scolded for discussing anything other than the HC or wedding during the reception. Would I be allowed to catch up with mutual friends? Or would that constitute "not being present and taking it in"?

OTOH, if I invite you to a major, life changing event, which I have spent considerable time, effort, and money planning, I don't think it's too much to ask the guests to at least pretend they care about what's going on. No, I don't expect guests to care as much as I do, or to achieve some higher level of consciousness, but if you'd just as soon surf the net or text, you can do that at Starbucks and save us both the annoyance.

OTOH, if I invite you to a major, life changing event, which I have spent considerable time, effort, and money planning, I don't think it's too much to ask the guests to at least pretend they care about what's going on. No, I don't expect guests to care as much as I do, or to achieve some higher level of consciousness, but if you'd just as soon surf the net or text, you can do that at Starbucks and save us both the annoyance.

I agree. I was horrified at the comments I saw on an Australian news site about the weddings that carefully avoided football season only to end up on a replay date because the finale game ended in a tie. Some of those basically were telling the bride that only she cared about her own wedding.

People can surf the net or do Facebook anytime. I don't think it's too much to ask them to refrain from doing so for the few hours it takes for a wedding and reception.

I think the idea of no cell phones is unrealistic and a little egotistical.

People need their phones for a variety of reasons, asking for them to be left home is unrealistic. I know years ago people didn't have cell phones but that was years ago. Things have changed. A perfect example is that pay phones no longer exist in abundance they way they used to. So if any guest needed to make a call they would have to relay on borrowing a phone from the reception hall. Not really practical if you have a bunch of people who need to check in with the baby sitter or call a cab, etc.

I think its egotistical because your basically saying "I want all your attention on ME! ALL NIGHT! NO DISTRACTIONS! JUST MEEEEEEE!!!"

Now of course I think it's rude if a guest were to spend the night with their head buried in their phone. At the same time I highly doubt the happy couple would even notice. I got married about 4.5 years ago. I couldn't tell who if anyone was on their phone.